The Chester Beautification Committee wants to spruce up the riverfront in the wake of the recent floods, the Chester City Council heard on Monday.

Alderman Ray Allison said the small park known as Smith's Landing has been left a total loss. He said the large anchor which was the centerpiece of that park will be moved to the area near the three informational signs about the riverfront, which was unaffected by the flood.

The committee also wants to have the retaining wall near the underpass power-washed and to bring in a local artist to repaint the wall after it is cleaned.

Allison added that on Sept. 19, a plaque will be unveiled at the Stone Cottage near the Courthouse designating the historic value of the Cottage.

Gas futures

The council has agreed to buy 7,500 units of natural gas for September, October and November at fixed costs -- $2.07, $2.09 and $2.17 per 1,000 cubic meters, respectively.

Alderman Dan Ohlau was thanked by the council for his efforts to secure prices which should allow the city to save on natural gas in the coming months. Ohlau in turn credited City Clerk Bethany Berner for her work on the project.

By purchasing futures the city expects to avoid big fluctuations in the cost of gas, which would have to be passed onto the consumers. The Gas Committee will continue to observe the market prices and make further recommendations for the next quarter.

New dispatchers

Chester Police Chief Bobby Helmers introduced Ashley Walker and Kayley Ludwig to the city council as his choices to become full-time radio dispatchers for his department. The council approved hiring both of them, which fills all the open dispatcher vacancies in the police department.

Tree stump to be gone

The council agreed to pay $210 to remove a tree stump from a corner of the Hardee's parking lot near new sidewalk.

Ohlau voted no, saying that since the stump is on Hardee's property the business should be tasked with removing it. Allison reported that the Hardee's management disagrees, telling him that the stump presents a danger to the pedestrian public and therefore the city should take it out.

The city will pay AM Arbor Services of Chester to remove the stump.

• The next meeting of the council will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, the day following Labor Day.